Government News 1/2 State leader presents Tet gifts in Ho Chi Minh City   President Tran Dai Quang and a delegation lay a wreath at Ben Duoc Monument   President Tran Dai Quang laid a wreath and offered incense at the Ben Duoc Monument in Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City on January 31 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising in spring 1968. The fallen soldier monument, the largest of its kind in Ho Chi Minh City, is built in the so-called Iron Triangle famous for the historic Cu Chi tunnels to commemorate people and soldiers who laid down their lives during the resistance wars against French and US aggressors. Also on the occasion of the upcoming lunar New Year (Tet) festival, the State leader attended a programme titled “Tet for the poor and dioxin victims”, and presented gifts to 100 beneficiaries of State preferential policies and underprivileged households in Cu Chi district. He extended his Tet wishes to locals, and appreciated efforts made by authorities of Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi district to care for policy beneficiaries, poor people and Agent Orange/dioxin victims. The President expressed his gratitude for the sacrifice of people who rendered service to the nation, encouraging them to become role models in abiding by the Party’s policies and the State’s laws so others people, especially young generations, can follow. The leader also paid Tet visits to several intellectuals in the city. Ambassador presents credentials to Portuguese President   New Vietnamese Ambassador to Portugal Nguyen Thiep (L) presents credentials to Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (R)   New Vietnamese Ambassador to Portugal residing in France Nguyen Thiep presented credentials to Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in the capital city of Lisbon on January 24, assuring the  host that Vietnam wants to develop long-standing friendship and cooperation with the European country. Thiep said as marine-based economies, Vietnam and Portugal held the first exchange more than 500 years ago and bilateral ties have grown since Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit in June 2015, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh’s visit in May 2017 and Vietnam’s visit by Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Teresa Ribeiro in November 2017.  He wished to witness new developments of the two countries’ friendship within bilateral and multilateral framework, particularly facilitating high-level visits and promoting exchange between the two countries’ business community.  The Portuguese President said he will visit Vietnam soon and expressed his belief that the visit will open up a new development period for bilateral ties.  He wished that Ambassador Thiep would fulfil his assigned tasks and regularly visit and work in Portugal. Italy to host special event to mark Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties   Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (R) hosts Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Cecilia Piccioni (Source: http://kinhtedothi.vn)   The Italian Embassy in Vietnam is planning a special event in Hanoi to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties this year, according to Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Cecilia Piccioni.  During a working session with Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung on January 31, the Ambassador said the 45th anniversary is an important milestone in bilateral relations, and asked for support from Hanoi’s administration so that the celebration will be a success.  She said the special event, to be held at the Dien Hong flower garden (also known as the Con Coc garden) in Hanoi’s centre, will be a fashion show featuring works by Italian designers and Vietnamese silk-making artisans.  The Ambassador expressed her hope that the show will create an impression on local people in the way the Italian cultural week in Hanoi did last November, adding that the celebration will be the last event she organizes in Hanoi before ending her term in Vietnam in June this year.  Ambassador Cecilia Piccioni asked for permission from the Hanoi People’s Committee’s Chairman to restore the original look of the Dien Hong garden, which is near the Italian Embassy and is dubbed the Italian corner in Vietnam by embassy staff.  She thanked Hanoi authorities for their support of Italy’s World City project, noting that a delegation from the project will visit Hanoi soon with the wish to have a working session with the Hanoi People’s Committee’s Chairman on February 6.  Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung pledged coordination with the Italian Embassy for the successful organisation of the special event.  He affirmed that he will meet with the World City project delegation to learn from experience in building a smart city.  The official also talked about his intention to invite an Italian ship building company to Hanoi to help the city seek a suitable way to develop tourism on the West Lake.  VFF leader receives Cambodian army official   At the reception  President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man received deputy chief of the High Command of the Cambodian Royal Army Guards Dieng Sarun in Hanoi on January 31.  Man expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Cambodian parliament and government with the Cambodian People’s Party at their core, Cambodia will continue prospering with improved stature on the regional and international arena.  He thanked the Cambodian army and guard force for their good ties with the Vietnamese ministries of national defence and public security to serve the cause of national defence and security in the two countries.  The VFF leader also expressed gratitude to the Cambodian people and authorities for providing support for Cambodian people of Vietnamese descent living in the country. He asked the Cambodian Party, government and people to continue assisting Vietnam in the search and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese fallen soldiers and the maintenance of monuments dedicated to bilateral friendship in Cambodia.  Dieng Sarun, for his part, said visiting each other on the occasion of Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year is a good tradition of both countries, and noted his hope that the tradition will continue to be fostered by later generations of the two nations. Thailand thanks Vietnam for facilitating Thai investors   Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (right) meets Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Nguyen Hai Bang on January 31. Thailand thanks the Vietnamese government for facilitating Thai investors doing business in Vietnam, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang who paid him a courtesy visit in Bangkok on January 31. At the meeting, the Thai leader congratulated Vietnam’s U23 football team on their second place at the AFC U23 Championship, making history for Vietnam and Southeast Asia. This is the best point ever for the Vietnam – Thailand Strategic Partnership which is enjoying development in all fields, the PM said. He expressed his delight that the ministries of two nations will co-chair meetings of the joint trade committee and the joint committee on bilateral cooperation to prepare for the fourth Vietnam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat in Vietnam this year. The PM wants the two countries to continue working closely to tackle illegal fishing and step up cooperation in exporting farm products like rice and rubber to stablise prices and avoid fierce competition. He lauded Vietnam’s efforts to tackle illegal fishing in foreign waters and urged stronger actions from both sides to prevent their boats from illegally fishing in each other’s waters. He also said looks forward to the two sides together with Laos and Cambodia strengthening maritime and overland connectivity. He affirmed that Thailand will create good conditions for made-in-Vietnam goods to enter its market and welcomes Vietnamese living in the country.  Ambassador Bang, for his part, thanked the government of Thailand and the PM for their effort to bolster the two countries’ relations in all fields, including economics, defence and security and labour affairs. He reiterated Vietnam will do its utmost to put illegal fishing to an end and hoped Thailand will treat Vietnamese fishermen with humanity. Bang also hoped PM Prayut to participate in the Greater Mekong Subregion Summit in Hanoi in March. VNN